SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, For Use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Under 14a-12
Ocwen Financial Corporation
------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
N/A
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No Fee Required
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Aggregate number of securities to which the transaction applies;
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3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined.)
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which
the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous
filing by registration statement number, or the Form or
Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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3) Filing Party:
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4) Date Filed:
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[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
O C W E N
March 28, 2003
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
On behalf of the Board of Directors I cordially invite you to attend the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Ocwen Financial Corporation, which will be
held at the offices of the Company located at 1675 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard,
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, on Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern
Standard Time. The matters to be considered by shareholders at the Annual
Meeting are described in detail in the accompanying materials.
It is very important that you be represented at the Annual Meeting
regardless of the number of shares you own or whether you are able to attend the
Annual Meeting in person. Let me urge you to mark, sign and date your proxy card
today and return it in the envelope provided, even if you plan to attend the
Annual Meeting. This will not prevent you from voting in person, but will ensure
that your vote is counted if you are unable to attend.
Your continued support of and interest in Ocwen Financial Corporation are
sincerely appreciated.
Sincerely,
/s/ WILLIAM C. ERBEY
------------------------------------
William C. Erbey
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
OCWEN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
1675 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
----------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held On May 15, 2003
----------------------------
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Ocwen
Financial Corporation (the "Company") will be held at the offices of the Company
located at 1675 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 on
Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect seven directors for a one-year term and until their
successors are elected and qualified;
2. To adopt the Ocwen Financial Corporation Amended 1998 Annual
Incentive Plan;
3. To ratify the appointment by the Audit Committee of the Board of
Directors of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent
auditor of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2003; and
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting and any adjournment thereof. Management is not aware of
any such other business at this time.
The Board of Directors has fixed March 14, 2003 as the record date for the
determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting and any adjournment thereof. Only shareholders of record at the close of
business on that date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ JOHN R. ERBEY
----------------------------------
John R. Erbey
Secretary
West Palm Beach, Florida
March 28, 2003
OCWEN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
----------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
----------------------------
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
This Proxy Statement is being furnished to the holders of the Common Stock,
par value $.01 per share, of Ocwen Financial Corporation, a Florida corporation.
Proxies are being solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Ocwen to be
used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the offices of Ocwen
located at 1675 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, on
Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, and at any adjournment
thereof, for the purposes set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card (the "Proxy") are first
being mailed to the shareholders of Ocwen on or about March 28, 2003.
The Proxy solicited hereby, if properly signed and returned to Ocwen and not
revoked prior to its use, will be voted in accordance with the instructions
contained therein. If no contrary instructions are given, each Proxy received
will be voted:
(i) for each of the nominees for director described herein;
(ii) to adopt the Amended 1998 Annual Incentive Plan;
(iii) for ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
as our independent auditor for 2003; and
(iv) upon the transaction of such other business as may properly come
before the meeting, in accordance with the best judgment of the
persons appointed as proxies.
Proxies solicited hereby may be exercised only at the annual meeting and
any adjournment thereof and will not be used for any other meeting. Any
shareholder giving a Proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is
exercised by:
(i) filing written notice thereof with our Secretary at the following
address:
John R. Erbey, Secretary
Ocwen Financial Corporation
1675 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
(ii) submitting a properly executed Proxy bearing a later date; or
(iii) appearing at the annual meeting and giving the Secretary notice of
his or her intention to vote in person.
VOTING
Only holders of record of Common Stock at the close of business on March 14,
2003 will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting or any adjournment thereof.
On March 14, 2003, there were 67,339,456 shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding, and we had no other class of equity securities outstanding. Each
share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote at the annual meeting on all
matters properly presented.
The presence at the annual meeting of a majority of the votes entitled to be
cast, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at the annual meeting.
Assuming the presence of a quorum, the seven persons receiving the greatest
number of votes of the Common Stock cast at the annual meeting by the holders of
stock entitled to vote shall be elected as directors of Ocwen. Assuming the
presence of a quorum, the proposal to adopt the Amended 1998 Annual Incentive
Plan and the proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
Ocwen's independent auditor for 2003 and any other matter properly submitted to
shareholders for their consideration at the annual meeting (other than the
election of directors) shall be approved if the votes cast by the holders of the
shares represented at the annual meeting and entitled to vote on the subject
matter favoring the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action.
With regard to the election of directors, shareholders may vote in favor of
or withhold authority to vote for one or more nominees for director. Votes that
are withheld and broker non-votes in connection with the election of one or more
nominees for director will not be counted as votes cast for such individuals and
accordingly will have no effect. Abstentions may be specified on all other
proposals. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted in determining
the votes cast in connection with the proposal to adopt the Amended 1998 Annual
Incentive Plan and the proposal to ratify the appointment of Ocwen's independent
auditor and thus will have no effect on such proposals.
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
The following graph compares the cumulative total return on the Common Stock
of Ocwen since December 31, 1997 with the cumulative total return on the stocks
included in the Standard & Poor's 500 Market Index and the Standard & Poor's
Financial (Diversified) 500 Market Index.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
Period Ending
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Index 12/31/97 12/31/98 12/31/99 12/31/00 12/31/01 12/31/02
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ocwen Financial Corporation 100.00 48.39 24.57 25.08 33.33 11.01
S&P 500 100.00 126.67 151.40 136.05 118.31 90.66
S&P Diversified Financial Index 100.00 120.87 158.09 198.16 171.42 133.01
The above graph represents $100 invested in Common Stock on December 31, 1997 at
the closing price of $13.38 per share on that date and in each index on such
date. The Common Stock has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since
August 1, 1997.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Proposal One)
Ocwen's Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors of Ocwen shall be
comprised of between three and seven members, with the exact number to be fixed
by the Board of Directors. On July 25, 2002, the Board of Directors fixed the
number of directors at seven pursuant to the Bylaws of Ocwen. Directors are
elected annually and hold office until the earlier of the election and
qualification of their successors or their resignation and removal.
Accordingly, Ocwen will propose seven directors for election at the annual
meeting. Six of the seven persons standing for election at the annual meeting
are currently directors of Ocwen. Hon. Thomas F. Lewis is not standing for
re-election, as he has decided to retire from his service to Ocwen. There are no
arrangements or understandings between any nominee for director and any other
person pursuant to which such person was selected as a nominee. No director is
related to any other director or executive officer of Ocwen by blood, marriage
or adoption.
If any person named as nominee should be unable or unwilling to stand for
election at the time of the annual meeting, the person or persons appointed as
proxies will nominate and vote for a replacement nominee or nominees recommended
by the Board of Directors. At this time, the Board of Directors knows of no
reason why any of the nominees listed below would not be able to serve as
director if elected.
Nominees for Director
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the directors
of Ocwen:
Nomination/
Director Executive Audit Compensation Governance
Name Age (1) Since Committee Committee (2) Committee (2) Committee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William C. Erbey 53 1988 X (3)
Ronald M. Faris 40 --
William H. Lacy 58 2002 X (3) X
W. Michael Linn 54 2002 X X (3)
W.C. Martin 54 1996 X X (3)
Herbert B. Tasker 66 2002 X X
Barry N. Wish 61 1988 X
(1) As of March 15, 2003.
(2) Hon. Thomas F. Lewis, who is not seeking re-election due to his retirement,
serves on this Committee. The Board determines Committee assignments at its
annual organizational meeting.
(3) Committee Chairman
The principal occupation for the last five years of each director of Ocwen,
as well as some other information, is set forth below.
William C. Erbey. Mr. Erbey has served as the Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Ocwen since September 1996, as the Chief Executive Officer of Ocwen
since January 1988, as the Chief Investment Officer of Ocwen from January 1992
to August 1999 and as the President of Ocwen from January 1988 to May 1998. Mr.
Erbey has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ocwen Federal Bank
FSB, a subsidiary of Ocwen, since February 1988 and as the Chief Executive
Officer of the Bank since June 1990. He also serves as a director and officer of
many other subsidiaries of Ocwen. From 1983 to 1995, Mr. Erbey served as a
Managing General Partner of The Oxford Financial Group ("Oxford"), a private
investment partnership that was the predecessor of Ocwen. From 1975 to 1983, Mr.
Erbey served at General Electric Capital Corporation in various capacities, most
recently as the President and Chief Operating Officer of General Electric
Mortgage Insurance Corporation. Mr. Erbey also served as the Program General
Manager of GECC's Commercial Financial Services Department and as the President
of Acquisition Funding Corporation. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics
from Allegheny College and received a Master of Business Administration from
Harvard University.
Ronald M. Faris. Mr. Faris has served on the Board of Directors of Ocwen
Federal Bank FSB since March 2001 and as the President of Ocwen and the Bank
since March 2001. Mr. Faris served as Executive Vice President of Ocwen and the
Bank from May 1998 to March 2001, as a Senior Vice President of the Bank from
May 1997 to May 1998 and Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Ocwen
from June 1995 to May 1997 and of the Bank from July 1994 to May 1997. From
March 1991 to July 1994, he served as Controller for a subsidiary of Ocwen. From
1986 to 1991, Mr. Faris was a Vice President with Kidder, Peabody & Co., Inc.,
and from 1984 to 1986 worked in the General Audit Department of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Pennsylvania
State University.
William H. Lacy. Mr. Lacy has served as a director of Ocwen since May 2002.
Mr. Lacy was formerly the Chairman of Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation
and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MGIC Investment Corporation,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1987 through 1999. Mr. Lacy is also a Director of C2
Corporation and of Johnson Controls, Inc.
W. Michael Linn. Mr. Linn has served as a director of Ocwen since August
2002. Mr. Linn is currently the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Max Q
Technologies, Inc., Findlay, Ohio. Prior to joining Max Q Technologies, he
served as the Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing of Solomon Software,
Inc., a corporation now owned by Microsoft Corporation. Mr. Linn serves or has
served on the Board of Directors of National Lime & Stone, Efficiency Software
LLC, Transport Topics Publications, TLB Inc., Solomon Software, Inc., Floral
Design Inc. and the Health Watch Advisory Board. He graduated from Harvard
College in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and earned a Masters of Business
Administration from Harvard Business School in 1973.
W.C. Martin. Mr. Martin has served as a director of Ocwen since July 1996
and of the Bank since August 1996. Since 1982, Mr. Martin has been associated
with Holding Capital Group and has been engaged in the acquisition and
turnaround of businesses in a broad variety of industries. Since March 1993, Mr.
Martin also has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of SV Microwave,
a company he formed along with other HCG investors to acquire the assets of the
former Microwave Division of Solitron Devices, Inc. In 1998, Mr. Martin became
CEO of HCG Technologies, Inc., a holding company formed by him and HCG to
acquire, fund or start technology companies. In 1999, he became CEO of SV
Microwave Components Group, Inc., a newly formed subsidiary of HCGT engaged in
the design, production and sale of passive microwave devices. Prior to 1982, Mr.
Martin was a Manager in Touche Ross & Company's Management Consulting Division,
and prior to that he held positions in financial management with Chrysler
Corporation. Mr. Martin holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management
from LaSalle University and received a Masters of Business Administration from
the University of Notre Dame.
Herbert B. Tasker. Mr. Tasker has served on the Board of Directors of Ocwen
since May 2002. He is currently the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of
Centre Capital. Mr. Tasker also serves on the board of First American Title
Company and the Board of Trustees of the University of San Diego. He is a former
President of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, the California
Mortgage Bankers Association and the Southern California Mortgage Bankers.
Barry N. Wish. Mr. Wish has served as Chairman Emeritus of the Board of
Directors of Ocwen since September 1996, and he previously served as Chairman of
the Board of Ocwen from January 1988 to September 1996. Mr. Wish has served as a
director of Ocwen Federal Bank FSB since February 1988. From 1983 to 1995, he
served as a Managing General Partner of The Oxford Financial Group, which he
founded. From 1979 to 1983, he was a Managing General Partner of Walsh,
Greenwood, Wish & Co., a member firm of the New York Stock Exchange. Prior to
founding that firm, Mr. Wish was a Vice President and shareholder of Kidder,
Peabody & Co., Inc. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR
each of the nominees for director.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors of Ocwen held seven meetings during 2002. No director
of Ocwen attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of the total number of
meetings of the Board of Directors held during 2002 and the total number of
meetings held by all committees thereof on which he served during the period.
The Board of Directors of Ocwen has established an Executive Committee, an
Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nomination/Governance Committee.
A brief description of these Committees is set forth below.
The Executive Committee is generally responsible to act on behalf of the
Board of Directors during the intervals between meetings of the Board of
Directors. This Committee met 44 times during 2002.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors manages Ocwen's independent
auditors, reviews and advises the Board of Directors with respect to reports by
Ocwen's independent auditor and monitors Ocwen's compliance with laws and
regulations applicable to Ocwen's operations including the evaluation of
significant matters relating to the financial reporting process and system of
internal accounting controls of Ocwen and the review of the scope and results of
the annual audit conducted by the independent auditor. Each member of the Audit
Committee is independent as defined in the listing standards of the New York
Stock Exchange, on which Ocwen's Common Stock is listed. The Audit Committee
operates under a written charter approved by the whole Board of Directors and
included as Exhibit B to this Proxy. This Committee met five times during 2002.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors oversees Ocwen's
compensation and employee benefit plans and practices. The Compensation
Committee also evaluates and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for
human resource and compensation matters relating to the executive officers of
Ocwen. This Committee met four times during 2002.
The Nomination/Governance Committee of the Board of Directors recommends to
the Board individuals qualified to serve as directors of Ocwen and on committees
of the Board; advises the Board with respect to Board composition; procedures
and committees; develops and presents to the Board a set of corporate governance
principles; and oversees the evaluation of the Board and Ocwen's management.
This Committee met four times during 2002.
Stockholders wishing to recommend persons for consideration by the
Nomination/Governance Committee as nominees for election to the Board of
Directors can do so by writing to the Secretary of Ocwen Financial Corporation,
1675 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, giving each
proposed nominee's name, biographical data and qualifications. The
recommendation should also include a written statement from the proposed nominee
consenting to be named as a nominee and, if nominated and elected, to serve as a
director. For consideration, such recommendations must be received by Ocwen by
December 1, 2003.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMPENSATION
Pursuant to a Directors Stock Plan adopted by the Board of Directors and
Shareholders of Ocwen in July 1996, the Directors are currently compensated by
delivering to each a total annual value of $16,000 payable in shares of Common
Stock (which may be prorated for a director serving less than a full one-year
term, as in the case of a director joining the Board of Directors after an
annual meeting of shareholders), subject to review and adjustment by the Board
of Directors from time to time. Such payment is made after the annual
organizational meeting of the Board of Directors, which follows the annual
meeting of shareholders of Ocwen. An additional annual fee payable in shares of
Common Stock, which currently amounts to $2,000, subject to review and
adjustment by the Board of Directors from time to time, is paid to committee
chairs after the annual organizational meeting of the Board of Directors. During
2002, an aggregate of 17,523 shares of Common Stock was granted to the seven
directors of Ocwen, including the shares received by the three committee chairs.
The number of shares issued pursuant to the Directors Stock Plan is based on
the "fair market value" of the Common Stock on the date of grant. The term "fair
market value" is defined in the Directors Stock Plan to mean the average of the
high and low prices of the Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange on the relevant date.
Shares issued pursuant to the Directors Stock Plan, other than the committee
chair fee shares, are subject to forfeiture during the 12 full calendar months
following election or appointment to the Board of Directors or a committee
thereof, if the director does not attend an aggregate of at least 75% of all
meetings of the Board of Directors and committees thereof of which he is a
member during such period.
Messers. Erbey, Faris, Martin and Wish also serve on the Board of Directors
of Ocwen Federal Bank, FSB. During 2002, the Bank compensated its non-management
directors by delivering to each a total annual value of $10,000 in cash, paid in
equal quarterly installments in arrears, in respect of their service on the
Bank's Board of Directors. An additional annual payment of $2,000 in cash, paid
in equal quarterly installments in arrears, was paid to committee chairs. During
2002, an aggregate of $42,500 in cash was paid to five directors of Ocwen in
respect of their service as members of the Board of Directors of the Bank,
including as chairman of the committees of the Bank's Board of Directors.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to each
person who currently serves as an executive officer of Ocwen but does not serve
on Ocwen's Board of Directors. Executive officers of Ocwen are elected annually
by the Board of Directors and generally serve at the discretion of the Board.
There are no arrangements or understandings between Ocwen and any person
pursuant to which such person was elected as an executive officer of Ocwen. No
director or executive officer is related to any other director or executive
officer of Ocwen or any of its subsidiaries by blood, marriage or adoption.
Name Age(1) Position
---- ------ --------
Robert J. Leist, Jr...... 53 Vice President and Chief Accounting
Officer
Arthur D. Ringwald....... 57 President and Chief Executive Officer,
Ocwen Technology Xchange, Inc.
Mark S. Zeidman.......... 51 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
(1) As of March 15, 2003.
The background for the last five years of each executive officer of Ocwen
who is not a director, as well as certain other information, is set forth below.
Robert J. Leist, Jr. Mr. Leist has served as Vice President and Chief
Accounting Officer of Ocwen and the Bank since his employment in March 1999.
From March 1987 until March 1999 he was employed at J.P. Morgan & Co.,
Incorporated, most recently as a Vice President. Prior to 1987 he held positions
with Brylane, Inc. and Arthur Andersen & Co. Mr. Leist holds a Bachelor of Arts
from Boston College, attended New York University for a Master of Business
Administration, and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Arthur D. Ringwald. Mr. Ringwald has served as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Ocwen Technology Xchange, Inc. since April 2001. Prior to that, Mr.
Ringwald served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ellie Mae, a
technology solutions provider to the mortgage brokerage industry. From 1993 to
2000, Mr. Ringwald served as Group Executive Vice President at Bank of America
responsible for residential and secondary mortgage lending. Mr. Ringwald was
Executive Vice President with the Sears Mortgage Corporation from 1989 until
1993. Mr. Ringwald holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State
University and an MBA from the University of Detroit. Mr. Ringwald has also
served on the Harvard Center for Joint Housing Studies Advisory Board, The
Consumer Mortgage Coalition, The National Association of Home Builders Housing
Finance Roundtable, The Fannie Mae National Advisory Counsel and a variety of
other real estate finance related boards.
Mark S. Zeidman. Mr. Zeidman has served as Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Ocwen and the Bank since May 1997 and as Chief Investment
Officer of Ocwen since August 1999. He also serves as an officer of many
subsidiaries of Ocwen. From 1986 until May 1997, Mr. Zeidman was employed by
Nomura Securities International, Inc., most recently as Managing Director. Prior
to 1986, he held positions with Shearson Lehman Brothers and Coopers & Lybrand.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania and
received a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University and a Master
of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business at the University
of Pennsylvania. Mr. Zeidman is also a Certified Public Accountant.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Common Stock as of the date indicated by
(i) each director and named executive officer of Ocwen,
(ii) all directors and executive officers of Ocwen as a group and
(iii) all persons known by Ocwen to own beneficially 5% or more of the
outstanding Common Stock.
The table is based upon information supplied to Ocwen by directors, officers and
principal stockholders and filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
Shares Beneficially Owned as of
March 15, 2003 (1)
------------------------------------
Name of Beneficial Owner: Amount (1) Percent
------------------------- ---------------- -----------
NewSouth Capital Management, Inc. 5,383,205 (2) 7.99%
1000 Ridgeway Loop Rd. - Suite 233
Memphis, TN 38120
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc.
1299 Ocwen Avenue, 11th Floor 3,575,500 (3) 5.31%
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Directors and Named Executive Officers:
---------------------------------------
William C. Erbey 19,256,133 (4) 28.30%
Ronald M. Faris 283,061 (5) *
William H. Lacy 7,466 *
W. Michael Linn 19,497 *
W.C. Martin 15,490 (6) *
Herbert A. Tasker 8,505 *
Barry N. Wish 9,018,240 (7) 13.39%
Robert J. Leist, Jr. 23,499 (8) *
Arthur D. Ringwald 34,478 (9) *
Mark S. Zeidman 103,994 (10) *
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (10 persons) 28,769,363 42.02%
- ----------------
* Less than 1%
(1) For purposes of this table an individual is considered the beneficial owner
of any shares of Common Stock if he or she directly or indirectly has or
shares voting power or investment power. Unless otherwise indicated, an
individual has sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to
the indicated shares.
(2) Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the
Commission on February 11, 2003 by NewSouth Capital Management, Inc., an
investment advisor that acquired the shares on behalf of its clients.
Includes 4,693,005 shares as to which sole voting power is claimed and
5,383,205 shares as to which sole dispositive power is claimed.
(3) Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G filed with the Commission
on February 10, 2003 by Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc., an investment
advisor that acquired the shares on behalf of its clients.
(4) Includes 13,138,351 shares held by FF Plaza Partners, a Delaware
partnership of which the partners are William C. Erbey, his spouse, E.
Elaine Erbey, and Delaware Permanent Corporation, a corporation
wholly-owned by William C. Erbey. Mr. and Mrs. William C. Erbey share
voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares owned by FF Plaza
Partners. Also includes 5,409,704 shares held by Erbey Holding Corporation,
a corporation wholly-owned by William C. Erbey. Also includes options to
acquire 708,078 shares, which are exercisable at or within 60 days of March
14, 2003.
(5) Includes 25,680 shares held jointly with spouse. Also includes options to
acquire 257,381 shares of Common Stock, which were exercisable at or within
60 days of March 14, 2003.
(6) Includes 5,110 shares held by the Martin & Associates Management
Consultants, Inc. Defined Contribution Pension Plan & Trust.
(7) Includes 8,522,305 shares held by Wishco, Inc., a corporation controlled by
Barry N. Wish pursuant to his ownership of 93% of the Common Stock thereof;
351,940 shares held by B.N.W. Partners, a Delaware partnership of which the
partners are Mr. Wish and B.N.W., Inc., a corporation wholly-owned by Mr.
Wish; and 111,000 shares held by the Barry Wish Family Foundation, Inc., a
charitable foundation of which Mr. Wish is a director.
(8) Includes options to acquire 23,399 shares of Common Stock, which were
exercisable at or within 60 days of March 14, 2003.
(9) Includes options to acquire 33,478 shares of Common Stock, which were
exercisable at or within 60 days of March 14, 2003.
(10) Includes options to acquire 96,984 shares of Common Stock, which were
exercisable at or within 60 days of March 14, 2003.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information as of the end of the most
recently completed fiscal year with respect to compensation plans under which
our equity securities are authorized for issuance. The information is split
between all compensation plans previously approved by security holders and all
compensation plans not previously approved by security holders.
Number of securities to Weighted average exercise
be issued upon exercise price of outstanding Number of securities
of outstanding options, options, warrants and remaining available for
Plan category warrants and rights rights future issuance
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity compensation plans 4,713,703 $ 7.97 6,725,537
approved by security holders
Equity compensation plans not 0 0 0
approved by security holders
Total 4,713,703 $ 7.97 6,725,537
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires Ocwen's executive officers and
directors, and persons who own more than 10% of the Common Stock, to file
reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required
by SEC regulations to furnish Ocwen with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they
file.
To Ocwen's knowledge, based solely upon review of the copies of such reports
furnished to Ocwen and written representations that no other reports were
required, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers,
directors and greater than 10% shareholders were complied with during 2002, with
the exception of one late filing with respect to one transaction by our
Director, Herbert M. Tasker.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table discloses compensation received by Ocwen's chief
executive officer and the four other most highly paid directors and executive
officers of Ocwen for the years indicated.
Annual Compensation Long-Term Compensation Awards
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
Restricted Securities All Other
Stock Underlying Compensation
Name and Position Year Salary (1) Bonus (2) Awards Options (6)
($)(3) (#)(4)(5)
- ---------------------------- -------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ --------------
William C. Erbey 2002 $360,000 $338,750 $271,000 84,688 $ 4,000
Chairman of the Board and 2001 $360,000 $351,000 0 141,475 $ 2,940
Chief Executive Officer 2000 $360,000 $345,938 0 197,537 $ 3,400
2002 $300,000 $317,813 $254,250 79,453 $ 4,000
Ronald M. Faris 2001 $292,308 $297,673 0 319,981 (7) $ 2,973
President 2000 $260,000 $266,906 0 152,409 $ 3,400
Arthur M. Ringwald (8)
President and CEO 2002 $300,000 $185,625 $148,500 46,406 $ 4,000
Ocwen Technology Xchange 2001 $220,385 $262,577 0 60,491 $ 62,527 (8)
Annual Compensation Long-Term Compensation Awards
-------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
Restricted Securities All Other
Stock Underlying Compensation
Name and Position Year Salary (1) Bonus (2) Awards Options (6)
($)(3) (#)(4)(5)
- ---------------------------- -------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------ --------------
Mark S. Zeidman 2002 $357,731 $148,955 $119,163 37,239 $ 4,000
Senior Vice President and 2001 $355,000 $124,250 0 90,081 (9) $ 2,947
Chief Financial Officer 2000 $354,519 $128,688 0 73,483 $ 3,400
Robert J. Leist, Jr. 2002 $202,730 $ 46,545 $ 37,236 11,636 $ 4,000
Vice President and 2001 $189,000 $ 50,625 0 20,405 $ 3,400
Chief Accounting Officer 2000 $178,231 $ 50,349 0 34,479 $ 10,397 (10)
(1) Represents amounts paid in 2002.
(2) For 2002, 2001, and 2000, consists of bonuses awarded pursuant to
Ocwen's 1998 Annual Incentive Plan in the first quarter of the
following year for services rendered in the years indicated.
(3) The restricted stock award is a portion of the bonuses awarded in the
first quarter of 2003 for services rendered in 2002 pursuant to
Ocwen's 1998 Annual Incentive Plan, as amended and proposed for
adoption herein. This award is subject to shareholder approval of the
Amended 1998 Annual Incentive Plan.
(4) Based on the average closing price of the Common Stock for the last
five trading days of 2002.
(5) Except as otherwise noted, consists of options granted pursuant to
Ocwen's 1991 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, as amended. The 2002,
2001, and 2000 amounts consist of grants made as of the first quarter
of the following year for services rendered in the years indicated.
(6) Unless otherwise noted, consists of contributions by Ocwen pursuant to
Ocwen's 401(k) Savings Plan.
(7) Consists of options to purchase 119,981 shares of Common Stock granted
pursuant to the stock option plan and additional options to purchase
200,000 shares of Common Stock granted to Mr. Faris.
(8) Mr. Ringwald commenced his employment as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Ocwen Technology Xchange on April 1, 2001. His annual
salary is prorated for his period of employment in 2001. His other
compensation represents reimbursed relocation expenses.
(9) Consists of options to purchase 50,081 shares of Common Stock granted
pursuant to the stock option plan and additional options to purchase
40,000 shares of Common Stock granted to Mr. Zeidman.
(10) Mr. Leist commenced his employment as Vice President and Chief
Accounting Officer of Ocwen in March of 1999. His other compensation
represents reimbursed relocation expenses paid in 2000.
Ocwen has an employment agreement with Mr. Ringwald. This Agreement sets
forth compensation, including base salary and minimum targets for annual bonus.
The Agreement expires in 2006. Ocwen may terminate Mr. Ringwald's employment
without "cause," as defined in the Agreement, and Mr. Ringwald may terminate his
employment for any reason, including "good reason," as defined in the Agreement.
Upon termination by Ocwen without "cause," or termination by the employee for
"good reason," Mr. Ringwald is entitled to a lump sum cash payment of $750,000
and any amounts payable to Mr. Ringwald as of the date of termination. If such
termination is after a "change in control," Mr. Ringwald shall receive a lump
sum payment of the greater of (x) $750,000 or (y) the base salary and guaranteed
bonus specified for the Employment Term, plus all accrued amounts and certain
other benefits and compensation payable to Mr. Ringwald under any employee
benefit or incentive compensation plans then in effect (including the
continuation of certain health, life, disability and pension benefits) through
the end of the employment term. Mr. Ringwald's current annual salary is
$300,000; this amount may not be reduced and will be increased on an annual
basis commencing on the third anniversary of the Agreement by an amount equal to
ratio of the CPI-Urban Consumers for the current year over the prior year. Mr.
Ringwald's agreement also includes provision for confidentiality,
indemnification and non-competition.
Option Grants for 2002
The following table provides information relating to option grants made by
Ocwen during 2002 and pursuant to Ocwen's stock option plan in 2003 to the
individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table for services rendered in
2002.
Percent of
Securities
No. of Underlying
Securities Total
Underlying Options Potential Realizable Value
Options Granted to Exercise Expiration at Assumed Rates of Stock Price
Granted Employees Price Date Appreciation for Option Term (3)
------------ --------- --------- --------- -------------------------------------
Name (#) (1)(2) (%) (2) ($/sh) ( / / ) 0% ($) 5% ($) 10% ($)
- --------------------- ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------- --------- ----------
William C. Erbey 84,688 13.35% $1.87 1/31/13 $78,760 $227,895 $456,638
Ronald M. Faris 79,453 12.53% $1.87 1/31/13 $73,891 $213,808 $428,411
Arthur D. Ringwald 46,406 7.32% $1.87 1/31/13 $43,158 $124,879 $250,221
Mark S. Zeidman 37,239 5.87% $1.87 1/31/13 $34,632 $100,210 $200,793
Robert J. Leist, Jr. 11,636 1.83% $1.87 1/31/13 $10,821 $ 31,312 $ 62,741
(1) All options are to purchase shares of Common Stock, and, unless otherwise
noted, one-fifth vests and becomes exercisable on the date of grant and on
January 31, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
(2) Grants were made in 2003 for service in 2002. The percentage of securities
underlying these options is based on options to purchase a total of 634,227
shares of Common Stock granted to employees of Ocwen and its subsidiaries.
(3) Assumes future prices of shares of Common Stock of $2.80, $4.56 and $7.26
at compounded rates of return of 0%, 5% and 10%, respectively, from the
average closing price per share on the New York Stock Exchange over the
last five trading days of 2002.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 2002 AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The following table provides information relating to option exercises during
the year 2002 by the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table and the
value of each such individual's unexercised options at December 31, 2002 (1).
Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised Value of Unexercised
Number of Options at In-the-Money Options at
Shares December 31, 2002 (1) December 31, 2002 (2)
Acquired Value ---------------------------- -----------------------------
Name on Exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ------------------- ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
William C. Erbey 0 0 708,078 231,650 $15,752 $63,008
Ronald M. Faris 0 0 257,381 396,515 $14,778 $59,113
Arthur D. Ringwald 0 0 33,478 73,419 $ 8,632 $34,526
Mark S. Zeidman 0 0 96,984 129,233 $ 6,926 $27,706
Robert J. Leist 0 0 23,399 32,543 $ 2,164 $ 8,657
(1) All options are to purchase shares of Common Stock. Options listed as
"exercisable" consist of options that became exercisable at or within 60
days of December 31, 2003.
(2) Based on the average closing price of a share of Common Stock on the New
York Stock Exchange on the last five trading days of 2002.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Determinations regarding compensation of Ocwen's employees are made by
Ocwen's Compensation Committee. No member of the Committee is or at any time was
an employee of Ocwen or any subsidiary, nor did any member of the Committee have
an interest in a transaction, which would require disclosure hereunder.
Report of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for
establishing management compensation policies and procedures to be reflected in
the compensation program offered to the executive officers of Ocwen and the
Bank. The Committee shares jurisdiction with the full Board of Directors over
the administration of and grants under the Stock Option Plan.
General Compensation Policies. The broad general salary and benefit
guidelines are determined by the Committee. Ocwen seeks to provide executives
with long-term wealth accumulation capability, conditional upon personal
performance, individual service longevity and consistent high level financial
performance of Ocwen. With respect to Ocwen's officers other than Mr. William C.
Erbey, the Committee considered salary and bonus recommendations prepared by Mr.
William C. Erbey or other executive officers to determine fiscal 2002
compensation. The salary adjustment recommendations were based on Ocwen's
overall performance in the past year and an analysis of compensation levels
necessary to maintain and attract quality personnel. It is through this process
that Ocwen is able to compete for and retain talented executives who are
critical to Ocwen's long-term success and align the interests of those
executives with the long-term interests of Ocwen's shareholders.
Annual Incentive Compensation. Ocwen's primary incentive compensation plan
for executives is the 1998 Annual Incentive Plan. Pursuant to the current plan,
a participant can earn cash and stock option awards as determined by the
Compensation Committee. In addition, the Committee has approved a proposal to
amend this Plan, which is subject to shareholder approval, to include awards of
restricted stock. The Committee believes that stock option and restricted stock
awards help to focus attention on managing Ocwen from the perspective of an
owner with an equity stake in the business. The awards are based on objective
performance criteria established by the Committee pursuant to the Plan, which
includes growth in our core businesses, reduction in non-core assets and cost
savings through Six Sigma initiatives and utilization of India operations. Each
participant has a targeted annual incentive award that is expressed as a
percentage of total target compensation and varies with the participant's level
of responsibility. At the executive level, 20-60% of each executive's total
target compensation is at risk and payable only upon achievement of certain
minimum Company and individual performance levels. The incentive awards are
structured so that the compensation opportunities for executives are related to
the levels of business unit and individual performances actually achieved. In
the case of corporate support functions, performance against budget is also
considered in addition to the criteria listed above.
Discretionary Stock Option Awards. During 2002, discretionary stock option
awards were made to five individuals (Messrs. Faris and Zeidman are the only
executive officers receiving awards) in an aggregate amount of 360,000 options
to purchase an equal number of shares of Common Stock. The objective of these
options, which have an exercise price of $12.55, was to create a direct link
between executive compensation and long-term Company performance. The exercise
price was based on the price of our Common Stock at the time of grant plus fifty
percent of the difference between the terminal value and the price of Ocwen's
Common Stock on the NYSE at the time of the grant. The terminal value was
calculated assuming a twenty-five percent per annum appreciation in the price of
the Common Stock at the time of the grant. In determining the appropriate
individuals and level of each award, the Committee considered the executive's
contribution toward Company performance and the executives who were in a
position and had the responsibility to make a substantial contribution to the
long-term success of Ocwen.
Other Compensation. The Compensation Committee's policy with respect to
other employee benefit plans is to provide competitive benefits to employees of
Ocwen and the Bank, including executive officers. A competitive comprehensive
benefit program is essential to achieving the goal of attracting and retaining
highly qualified employees.
Tax Considerations. Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), the tax deduction by corporate taxpayers is
limited with respect to the compensation of certain executive officers to $1
million per covered executive unless such compensation is based upon the
attainment of performance objectives meeting certain regulatory criteria or is
otherwise excluded from the limitation. Ocwen obtained shareholder approval of
the 1998 Annual Incentive Plan and the LTIP in order to qualify awards under
such plans as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.
It is the Compensation Committee's intention to qualify all performance-based
compensation for the exclusion from the deductibility limitation of 162(m),
except in situations where qualifying compensation for the exclusion would be
inconsistent with the overall best interest of Ocwen.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation. In determining the overall
compensation package for the Chief Executive Officer, the Committee considered
the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and the financial performance
achieved by Ocwen during the past fiscal year. For the CEO, incentive
compensation for 2002 was based largely on performance against specific goals
including growth of our loan servicing business and growth in our other core
businesses, reduction in non-core assets and cost savings, including those
attributable to increased utilization of our India operations centers and to our
Six Sigma initiatives.
Compensation Committee:
March 13, 2003 W.C. Martin, Chairman
Hon. Thomas F. Lewis, Director
W. Michael Linn, Director
Herbert B. Tasker, Director
PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE AMENDED 1998 ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN
(Proposal Two)
The Board of Directors of Ocwen has approved, subject to shareholder
approval, the Ocwen Financial Corporation Amended 1998 Annual Incentive Plan
(the "Annual Incentive Plan") to amend Ocwen's former annual incentive plan. The
Annual Incentive Plan is substantially similar to the prior plan and was amended
to provide the Compensation Committee the option to award Common Stock in lieu
of cash. The Annual Incentive Plan is being submitted for shareholder approval
in order to qualify compensation under the Annual Incentive Plan as
performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
The purpose of the Annual Incentive Plan is to advance the success of Ocwen
and to thereby increase shareholder value by promoting the attainment of
significant business objectives by Ocwen and its business units by basing a
portion of the annual compensation of selected officers and key employees on the
attainment of such objectives.
Summary of the Annual Incentive Plan. The following is a summary of the
Annual Incentive Plan. The complete text of the Annual Incentive Plan is
attached as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement.
Term. The effective date of the Annual Incentive Plan is May 15, 2003,
subject to approval of the Annual Incentive Plan by the shareholders of Ocwen.
The Annual Incentive Plan does not have a fixed expiration date.
Administration. The Annual Incentive Plan will be administered by the
Compensation Committee of Ocwen's Board of Directors or, in certain events, by
the full Board of Directors (the "Annual Incentive Plan Committee"). The Annual
Incentive Plan Committee has sole and complete authority to make awards under
the Annual Incentive Plan, to determine the terms and conditions of such awards
and to interpret and make all other determinations affecting the Annual
Incentive Plan. The Annual Incentive Plan Committee may, with respect to
participants in the Annual Incentive Plan (each an "AIP Participant") who are
not subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act and Section 162(m) of the Code,
delegate such of its powers and authority under the Annual Incentive Plan to
Ocwen's Chairman, President or Chief Executive Officer as it deems appropriate.
Participation. Participation in the Annual Incentive Plan is limited to
officers and other key employees of Ocwen and designated subsidiaries who are
selected from time to time by the Annual Incentive Plan Committee. Participation
in the Annual Incentive Plan does not preclude participation in any other
employee benefit plans of Ocwen and does not create any rights to continued
employment.
Performance Targets and Section 162(m) of the Code. The Annual Incentive
Plan Committee will designate performance targets under the Annual Incentive
Plan for each year. The performance targets will be and, unless otherwise
determined by the Committee, shall be any one of the following measures: (i) net
earnings; (ii) return on equity; (iii) average equity used; or (iv) growth in
assets. Section 162(m) of the Code provides in general that compensation in
excess of $1.0 million per year paid to the chief executive officer and the four
other most highly compensated officers of a public company is not deductible by
the corporation; provided, that certain performance-based compensation may be
excluded from this deductibility limitation if, among other things, (i) the
compensation is paid solely on account of the attainment of one or more
performance goals, (ii) the performance goals are established by a compensation
committee consisting solely of two or more outside directors, (iii) the material
terms under which the compensation is to be paid, including the performance
goals, are disclosed to and approved by the shareholders prior to payment, and
(iv) prior to payment, the compensation committee certifies that the performance
goals were, in fact, satisfied. Approval of the Annual Incentive Plan by the
shareholders of Ocwen will constitute approval of the Annual Incentive Plan,
including approval of the performance objectives, for purposes of Section
162(m). It is the current intention of the Board of Directors that all otherwise
tax deductible compensation payable under the Annual Incentive Plan be
excludable from the limitation on deductibility imposed by Section 162(m).
Maximum Annual Awards. The maximum bonus amount payable under the Annual
Incentive Plan to any AIP Participant shall not exceed $2,000,000 for any year.
This maximum bonus amount represents only the maximum bonus awards under the
Annual Incentive Plan. Additional discretionary bonuses may be awarded by Ocwen
outside of the Annual Incentive Plan. Any such discretionary amounts would be
subject to the $1,000,000 deductibility limit under Section 162(m) of the Code.
Ocwen currently expects that all or a substantial majority of such compensation
will fall within the deductibility limits (assuming shareholder approval of the
Annual Incentive Plan and, therefore, be fully deductible). It is possible,
however, that a portion of the compensation paid to an executive officer of
Ocwen may not be deductible under the Code.
Certification of Achievement of Performance Standards. The Annual Incentive
Plan Committee shall, prior to any payment under the Annual Incentive Plan,
certify in writing the extent, if any, of achievement of performance standards
for each AIP Participant. For purposes of this provision, the approved minutes
of the Annual Incentive Plan Committee meeting in which the certification is
made may be treated as a written certification.
Reduction or Termination of Payment. The Annual Incentive Plan Committee
may, in its sole discretion, establish certain additional performance-based
conditions that must be satisfied by Ocwen, a business unit of Ocwen or the AIP
Participant as a condition precedent to the payment of all or a portion of any
awards. Such conditions precedent may include, among other things, the receipt
by an AIP Participant of a specified annual performance rating and the
achievement of specified performance goals by Ocwen, the business unit or AIP
Participant.
Payment of Awards. Awards under the Annual Incentive Plan shall be paid in
cash, as soon as practicable after appropriate financial statements for the
performance period are available. However, the Annual Incentive Plan Committee
may, in it sole discretion, elect to pay all or a portion of the total award
value in the form of non-qualified stock options to purchase Common Stock and/or
in the form of Common Stock, in lieu of paying such amount in cash. The Annual
Incentive Plan Committee may also require an AIP Participant to defer up to 80%
of any award otherwise payable to the AIP Participant.
Amendment or Termination. The Board of Directors of Ocwen may modify, amend
or terminate the Annual Incentive Plan at any time, except that no modification,
amendment or termination may adversely affect the rights of an AIP Participant
under an award previously made to him without his consent.
No Assignment. Except as expressly authorized by the Annual Incentive Plan
Committee, the rights under the Annual Incentive Plan, including without
limitation the rights to receive any payment, shall not be sold, assigned,
transferred, encumbered or hypothecated by an AIP Participant (except by
testamentary disposition or intestate succession), and during the lifetime of
any AIP Participant any payment shall be payable only to such AIP Participant.
Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of the Annual
Incentive Plan and any action taken or relating to the Annual Incentive Plan
shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida and
applicable federal law.
Federal Income Tax Consequences. Under present federal income tax
regulations, AIP Participants will realize ordinary income equal to the amount
of the award received in the year of receipt. Ocwen will receive a deduction for
the amount constituting ordinary income to the AIP Participant, provided that
the Annual Incentive Plan satisfies the requirements of Section 162(m) of the
Code. It is Ocwen's intention that the Annual Incentive Plan be constructed and
administered in a manner that ensures the deductibility of compensation for
Ocwen under Section 162(m) of the Code. The foregoing brief summary of the
effect of federal income taxation upon AIP Participants and Ocwen with respect
to the Annual Incentive Plan does not purport to be complete and reference
should be made to the applicable provisions of the Code. In addition, this
summary does not discuss the provisions of income tax laws of any municipality,
state or foreign country in which an AIP Participant may reside. Because
executive officers of Ocwen are eligible to receive awards under the Annual
Incentive Plan, each of them has a personal interest in the adoption of the
Annual Incentive Plan.
Plans Subject to Shareholder Action
The table below describes the benefits or amounts that will be received by
or allocated to each of the following under the Annual Incentive Plan being
acted upon.
NEW PLAN BENEFITS
1998 Annual Incentive Plan
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Dollar Option Restricted Stock
Name and Position Value ($) Cash Award($) Award (#) Award (#)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William C. Erbey $ 677,500 $ 338,750 84,688 101,498
Ronald M. Faris $ 635,625 $ 317,813 79,453 95,225
Arthur D. Ringwald $ 371,250 $ 185,625 46,406 55,618
Mark S. Zeidman $ 297,909 $ 148,955 37,239 44,631
Robert J. Leist $ 93,090 $ 46,545 11,636 13,946
Executive Group (5 Officers) $2,075,374 $1,037,688 259,422 310,918
Non-Executive Director Group (5 Directors) 0 0 0 0
Non-Executive Officer Employee Group $7,806,978 $6,307,752 374,806 449,205
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR
approval of the Annual Incentive Plan.
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
(Proposal Three)
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Ocwen has appointed
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent certified public accountants, to be
Ocwen's independent auditor for the year ending December 31, 2003, and has
further directed that the selection of the auditor be submitted for ratification
by the shareholders at the annual meeting.
Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be present at the annual
meeting, will be given the opportunity to make a statement, if they so desire,
and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR the
appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent auditor for 2003.
Report of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has:
o Reviewed and discussed with management Ocwen's audited financial statements
as of and for the year ended December 31, 2002;
o Discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Ocwen's independent auditor, the
matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,
"Communication with Audit Committees"; and
o Received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP required by the Independence Standards Board's
Independence Standard No. 1, "Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees" and discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP their
independence.
In reliance on the review and discussion referred to above, the Committee
recommends to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be
included in Ocwen's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2002.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Fees
According to the statements made by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, their
aggregate fees billed to Ocwen during 2002 are as follows:
Audit and review of the Company's financial statements $ 970,170
Financial Information Systems design and implementation $ -0-
Audit-related, Tax and other services $ 1,812,988
(1) Includes statutory audits of subsidiaries, employee benefit plan audits and
other reports under generally accepted auditing standards. In considering
the independence of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Audit Committee of the
Board of Directors took into consideration the amount and nature of these
fees.
Audit Committee:
William H. Lacy, Chairman
Hon. Thomas F. Lewis, Director
W. C. Martin, Director
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
At the annual meeting, Ocwen may exercise discretionary authority when
voting on a shareholder proposal that is not included as an agenda item in this
Proxy Statement if the proposal was received by Ocwen after February 12, 2003
and the proposal is properly presented at the annual meeting. Ocwen did not
receive notice of any shareholder proposal or nomination relating to the annual
meeting.
Any proposal which a shareholder desires to have included in the proxy
materials of Ocwen relating to the next annual meeting of shareholders, which is
scheduled to be held in May 2004 (the "2004 Annual Meeting"), must be received
at the executive offices of Ocwen no later than December 1, 2003. All proposals
and nominations should be directed to John R. Erbey, Secretary, 1675 Palm Beach
Lakes Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. It is urged that any
shareholder proposal or nomination be sent certified mail, return-receipt
requested. If notice of a shareholder proposal relating to the 2004 Annual
Meeting is received by Ocwen after February 11, 2004 and the proposal is
properly presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting, Ocwen will be able to exercise
discretionary authority when voting on the proposal. If notice of a shareholder
proposal is received on or prior to February 11, 2004, the proposal is not
included as an agenda item in the proxy statement and proxy card furnished to
shareholders in connection with the 2004 Annual Meeting (the "2004 Proxy
Statement"), and the proposal is properly presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting,
the Company may exercise discretionary authority when voting on the proposal if
in the 2004 Proxy Statement the Company advises shareholders on the nature of
the proposal and how the Company intends to vote on the proposal, unless the
shareholder satisfies certain requirements of the SEC, including mailing a
separate proxy statement to Ocwen's shareholders.
ANNUAL REPORTS
A copy of Ocwen's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December
31, 2002 was mailed to shareholders entitled to notice of the annual meeting
commencing on or about March 28, 2003. Such report is not part of the proxy
solicitation materials.
Ocwen will furnish without charge to each person whose proxy is solicited
and to each person who represents that as of the record date for the meeting he
or she was a beneficial owner of shares entitled to vote at the meeting, on
written request, a copy of Ocwen's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2002 required to be filed by Ocwen with the SEC under the Exchange
Act. Such requests should be directed to Investor Relations, Ocwen Financial
Corporation, 1675 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401,
telephone number (561) 682-8400. Such report is not part of the proxy
solicitation materials.
OTHER MATTERS
Management is not aware of any business to come before the annual meeting
other than the matters described above in this Proxy Statement. However, if any
other matters should properly come before the annual meeting, it is intended
that the Proxies solicited hereby will be voted with respect to those other
matters in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons appointed as
proxies.
The cost of the solicitation of proxies will be borne by Ocwen. Ocwen will
reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for
reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending proxy materials to the
beneficial owners of the Common Stock. In addition to solicitations by mail,
directors, officers and employees of Ocwen may solicit proxies personally or by
telephone without additional compensation.
EXHIBIT A
As Amended Through
May 15, 2003
OCWEN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
1998 ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE I - GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of the Ocwen Financial Corporation Annual Incentive Plan
(the "Plan") is to advance the success of Ocwen Financial Corporation and to
thereby increase shareholder value by promoting the attainment of significant
business objectives by the Company or a business unit and basing a portion of
the annual compensation of selected officers and key employees on the attainment
of such objectives. The Plan is designed to: (i) further align the interests of
Participants with the interests of the Company's shareholders, (ii) reward
Participants for creating shareholder value as measured by objectively
determinable performance goals, and (iii) assist in the attraction and retention
of employees vital to the Company's long-term success.
1.2 Definitions
For the purpose of the Plan, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
(a) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(b) "Cause" means: (i) conduct, activities or performance by a Participant
which, in the judgment of the Company, based upon the information then
in its possession, is detrimental to its interests, business, goodwill
or reputation; or (ii) such definition of Cause as is contained in a
Participant's employment agreement, if any, with the Company.
(c) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including
any successor law thereto.
(d) "Company," means Ocwen Financial Corporation and, solely for purposes
of determining (i) eligibility for participation in the Plan, (ii)
employment, and (iii) the calculation of any performance goal, shall
include any corporation, partnership, or other organization of which
the Company owns or controls, directly or indirectly, not less than 50
percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock or
other equity interests. For purposes of this Plan, the term "Company"
shall include any successor to Ocwen Financial Corporation.
(e) "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board (or any
successor committee of the Board performing a similar function or the
whole Board if the Board performs such functions) or, with respect to
any particular function under the Plan identified by the Committee or
the Board, any subcommittee of the whole Committee established by the
whole Committee or the Board in order to comply with the definition of
Non-Employee Director under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and the
definition of outside director under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(f) "Common Stock" means the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share.
(g) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(h) "Participant" means any person who has satisfied the eligibility
requirements set forth in Section 1.4 and to whom an award has been
made under the Plan.
(i) "Performance Measures" means the criteria upon which awards will be
based and, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, shall be any
one of the following measures: (i) net earnings; (ii) return on equity;
(iii) average equity used; or (iv) growth in assets.
(j) "Performance Period" means, in relation to any award the calendar year
(or remaining portion of the calendar year if the award is made after
March 31 of any year) for which performance is being calculated, with
each such period constituting a separate Performance Period.
(k) "Performance Threshold" means, in relation to any Performance Period,
the minimum level of performance that must be achieved with respect to
the Performance Measure in order for an award to become payable
pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof.
(l) "Target Award" means that percentage of a Participant's annual base
salary for the Performance Period which the Plan Administrator set as
the maximum amount to be awarded under the Plan for such Performance
Period.
1.3 Administration
The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Subject to the terms
of the Plan, the Committee shall, among other things, determine eligibility for
participation in the Plan, make awards under the Plan, establish the terms and
conditions of such awards (including the Performance Measure(s) to be utilized)
and determine whether the Performance Measures and Performance Thresholds for
any award has been achieved. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a
quorum, and the acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at
which a quorum is present, or acts approved in writing by a majority of the
Committee, shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Subject to the provisions
of the Plan and to directions by the Board, the Committee is authorized to
interpret the Plan, to adopt administrative rules, regulations, and guidelines
for the Plan, and to impose such terms, conditions, and restrictions on awards
as it deems appropriate. The Committee may, with respect to Participants who are
not subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act and Section 162(m) of the Code,
delegate such of its powers and authority under the Plan to the Company's
President and Chief Executive Officer as it deems appropriate. In the event of
such delegation, all references to the Committee in this Plan shall be deemed
references to the President and Chief Executive Officer as it relates to those
aspects of the Plan that have been delegated.
1.4 Eligibility and Participation
Participation in the Plan shall be limited to officers, who may also be
members of the Board, and other employees of the Company who are determined by
the Committee to be eligible for participation in the Plan.
ARTICLE II - AWARD TERMS
2.1 Granting of Awards
The Committee may, in its discretion, from time to time make awards to
persons eligible for participation in the Plan pursuant to which the Participant
will earn compensation in the event that the Company achieve the Performance
Thresholds established by the Committee.
2.2 Establishment of Performance Thresholds
Each award shall be conditioned upon the Company's achievement of one
or more Performance Thresholds with respect to the Performance Measure(s)
established by the Committee prior to the beginning of the applicable
Performance Period. The Committee, in its discretion, may establish Performance
Thresholds for the Company as a whole or for only the business unit of the
Company in which a given Participant is involved, or a combination thereof. In
addition to establishing a minimum performance level below which no compensation
shall be payable pursuant to an award, the Committee, in its discretion, may
create a performance schedule under which an amount less than the Target Award
may be paid so long as the Performance Threshold has been exceeded. The
Committee may adjust the Performance Thresholds and measurements to reflect
significant unforeseen events; provided, however, that the Committee may not
make any such adjustment with respect to any award to an individual who is then
a "covered employee" as such term is defined in Regulation 1.162-27(c)(2)
promulgated under Section 162(m) of the Code, or any successor provision
("Section 162(m)"), if such adjustment would cause compensation pursuant to such
award to cease to be performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).
2.3 Other Award Terms
The Committee may, in its sole discretion, establish certain additional
performance based conditions that must be satisfied by the Company, a business
unit or the Participant as a condition precedent to the payment of all or a
portion of any awards. Such conditions precedent may include, among other
things, the receipt by a Participant of a specified annual performance rating
and the achievement of specified performance goals by the Company, business unit
or Participant.
2.4 Certification of Achievement of Performance Thresholds
The Committee shall, prior to any payment under the Plan, certify in
writing the extent, if any, that the Performance Threshold has been achieved.
For purposes of this provision, and for so long as the Code permits, the
approved minutes of the Committee meeting in which the certification is made
shall be treated as written certification.
2.5 Distribution of Awards.
Awards under the Plan shall be paid in cash as soon as practicable
after audited financial statements for the Performance Period have been prepared
and the Committee has certified that the Performance Threshold has been
achieved.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in it sole
discretion, elect to pay all or a portion of the total award value in the form
of non-qualified stock options to purchase Common Stock, in lieu of paying such
amount in cash. Any options granted as payment of an award shall be granted
pursuant to the Company's 1991 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan or any successor
thereto.
The Committee may also, in it sole discretion, elect to pay all or a
portion of the total award value in the form of shares of Common Stock acquired
by the Company in market transactions ("Treasury Stock"), in lieu of paying
award in cash. Any Treasury Stock granted as payment of an award shall be
granted on such terms, including deferred vesting, as the Committee may
determine.
2.6 Termination of Employment.
A Participant must be actively employed by the Company on the date his
or her award is to be paid ("the Payment Date") in order to be entitled to
payment of any award. In the event active employment of a Participant shall be
terminated before the Payment Date for any reason other than discharge for
"Cause", such Participant shall not be entitled to receive any award unless
otherwise determined by the Committee. A Participant discharged for Cause shall
not be entitled to receive any award for the year.
2.7 Maximum Amount Available for Awards.
The aggregate maximum amount payable to any one Participant for any
Performance Period shall be $2 million.
ARTICLE III - OTHER PROVISIONS
3.1 Withholding Taxes.
Whenever payments under the Plan are to be made, the Company will
withhold therefrom an amount sufficient to satisfy any applicable governmental
withholding tax requirements related thereto.
3.2 Adjustment in Number of Shares
Awards may be adjusted by the Committee in the manner and to the extent
it determines to be appropriate in the event of changes in the outstanding
shares of Common Stock by reason of stock dividends, stock splits,
recapitalizations, reorganizations, mergers, consolidations, combinations,
exchanges, reclassifications or other relevant changes in capitalization
occurring after the date of the award.
3.3 No Right to Employment
Nothing contained in the Plan or in any Award Agreement shall confer
upon any Participant any right with respect to continued employment with the
Company or its subsidiaries, nor interfere in any way with the right of the
Company or its subsidiaries to at any time reassign the Participant to a
different job, change the compensation of the Participant or terminate the
Participant's employment for any reason.
3.4 Nontransferability
A Participant's rights under the Plan, including the right to any
shares or amounts payable may not be assigned, pledged, or otherwise transferred
without the written consent of the Committee except, in the event of a
Participant's death, to the Participant's designated beneficiary or, in the
absence of such a designation, by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution.
3.5 Deferral of Payment
At the discretion of the Committee, a Participant may be required to
defer the receipt of up to 80% of any award otherwise payable to such
Participant. Such deferral shall be accomplished by the execution of a written
deferral agreement approved by the Committee by the Participant prior to the
expiration of the Performance Period.
3.6 Unfunded Plan
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Plan shall be
unfunded and shall not create (or be construed to create) a trust or separate
funds. With respect to any payment not yet made to a Participant, nothing
contained herein shall give any Participant any rights that are greater than
those of a general creditor of the Company.
3.7 Foreign Jurisdictions
The Committee shall have the authority to adopt, amend, or terminate
such arrangements, not inconsistent with the intent of the Plan, as it may deem
necessary or desirable to comply with the tax or other laws of foreign countries
or jurisdictions in order to promote achievement of the purposes of the Plan
with respect to Participants residing or working in such jurisdictions.
3.8 Other Compensation Plans
Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Company from adopting
other or additional compensation arrangements for employees of the Company.
ARTICLE IV - AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
The Board of Directors may modify, amend, or terminate the Plan at any
time except that, no modification, amendment, or termination of the Plan shall
adversely affect the rights of a Participant under an award previously made to
such Participant without the consent of such Participant.
ARTICLE V - EFFECTIVE DATE
The Plan shall become effective immediately upon the approval and
adoption thereof by the Board, but is subject to the further approval and
adoption by the shareholders of the Company.
EXHIBIT B
OCWEN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
NOVEMBER 7, 2002
I. PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE
The Committee's purpose is to provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its
legal and fiduciary obligations with respect to matters involving the
accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal control and legal compliance
functions of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. This includes, without
limitation, (a) assisting the Board's oversight of (i) the integrity of the
Corporation's financial statements, (ii) the Corporation's compliance with legal
and regulatory requirements, (iii) the Corporation's independent auditors'
qualifications and independence and (iv) the performance of the Corporation's
independent auditors and the Corporation's internal audit function, and (b)
preparing the report required to be prepared by the Committee pursuant to the
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for inclusion in the
Corporation's annual proxy statement.
II. COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE
The Committee shall be comprised of three or more directors as determined from
time to time by resolution of the Board. Each member of the Committee shall be
qualified to serve on the Committee pursuant to the requirements of the New York
Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") and the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002 (the "Act") and
the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Act. Director's
fees (including any additional amounts paid to chairs of committees and to
members of committees of the Board) are the only compensation a member of the
Committee may receive from the Corporation.
No director may serve as a member of the Committee if such director serves on
the audit committee of more than two other public companies, unless the Board
determines that such simultaneous service would not impair the ability of such
director to effectively serve on the Committee. Any such determination must be
disclosed in the Corporation's annual proxy statement.
The chairperson of the Committee shall be designated by the Board, provided that
if the Board does not so designate a chairperson, the members of the Committee,
by a majority vote, may designate a chairperson. Each member of the Committee
must be "financially literate", as such qualification is interpreted by the
Board in its business judgment, or must become financially literate within a
reasonable period of time after his or her appointment to the Committee. In
addition, at least one member of the Committee must have "accounting or related
financial management expertise", as the Board interprets such qualification in
its business judgement. Further, either (i) at least one member of the Committee
must be a "financial expert", as such term is defined in the rules and
regulations promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Act, or (ii) if no member of
the Committee is a "financial expert", the Committee shall so inform the
Corporation.
Any vacancy on the Committee shall be filled by majority vote of the Board at
the next meeting of the Board following the occurrence of the vacancy. No member
of the Committee may be removed except by majority vote of the Board.
III. MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE
The Committee shall meet once every fiscal quarter or more frequently as it
shall determine is necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities. The
Committee, in its discretion, may ask members of management or others to attend
its meetings (or portions thereof) and to provide pertinent information as
necessary. The Committee should meet separately on a periodic basis with (i)
management, (ii) the director of the Corporation's internal auditing department
or other person responsible for the internal audit function and (iii) the
Corporation's independent auditors, in each case to discuss any matters that the
Committee or any of the above persons or firms believe should be discussed
privately.
A majority of the members of the Committee present in person or by means of a
conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all
persons participating in the meeting can hear each other shall constitute a
quorum.
The Committee shall maintain minutes of its meetings and records relating to
those meetings and provide copies of such minutes to the Board.
IV. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE
In carrying out its duties and responsibilities, the Committee's policies and
procedures should remain flexible, so that it may be in a position to best react
or respond to changing circumstances or conditions. The following are within the
authority of the Committee:
(a) Select, in its sole discretion (subject to shareholder
ratification), the firm of independent auditors to audit the books and accounts
of the Corporation and its subsidiaries for each fiscal year, instruct the
Corporation's independent auditors that they are ultimately accountable to the
Committee and approve the independent auditors' annual engagement letter as well
as all audit and, as provided in the Act, all permitted non-audit engagements
and relationships between the Corporation and such auditors;
(b) Review the performance of the Corporation's independent
auditors, including the lead partner of the independent auditors, and, in its
sole discretion, make decisions regarding the replacement or termination of the
independent auditors when circumstances warrant;
(c) Obtain and review at least annually the report of the
independent auditors describing:
(i) the independent auditors' internal quality-control
procedures;
(ii) any material issues raised by the most recent
internal quality-control review, by a peer review or by any inquiry or
investigation by any governmental or professional authority of the independent
auditors, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent
audits carried out by the independent auditors, and any steps taken to deal with
any such issues; and
(iii) all relationships between the independent auditors
and the Corporation (including a description of each category of services
provided by the independent auditors to the Corporation and a list of the fees
billed for each such category;
The Committee should present its conclusions with respect to the above matters,
as well as its review of the lead partner of the independent auditors, and its
views on whether there should be a regular rotation of the independent auditors,
to the Board.
(d) Oversee the independence of the independent auditors by, among
other things:
(i) actively engaging in a dialogue with the independent
auditors with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact
the objectivity and independence of the independent auditors, and taking
appropriate action to satisfy itself of the auditors' independence;
(ii) ensuring that the lead audit partner and reviewing
audit partner responsible for the audit of the Corporation's financials
statements have not performed audit services for the Corporation for more than
the previous five consecutive fiscal years of the Corporation;
(iii) ensuring that the chief executive officer,
controller, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer or other persons
serving in an equivalent position of the Corporation, was not, within one year
prior to the initiation of the audit, an employee of the independent auditor who
participated in any capacity in the Corporation's audit; and
(iv) considering whether there should be a regular
rotation of the Corporation's independent auditors;
(e) Review the annual audit plan of the Corporation's independent
auditors, including the scope of audit activities and all critical accounting
policies and practices to be used, and monitor such plan's progress and results
during the year;
(f) Review the results of the year-end audit of the Corporation,
including any comments or recommendations of the Corporation's independent
auditors;
(g) Review with management, the Corporation's independent auditors
and the director of the Corporation's internal auditing department, the
following:
(i) the Corporation's annual audited financial statements
and quarterly financial statements, including the Corporation's disclosures
under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations", and any major issues related thereto;
(ii) critical accounting policies and such other
accounting policies of the Corporation as are deemed appropriate for review by
the Committee prior to any interim or year-end filings with the SEC or other
regulatory body, including any financial reporting issues which could have a
material impact on the Corporation's financial statements;
(iii) major issues regarding accounting principles and
financial statements presentations, including (A) any significant changes in the
Corporation's selection or application of accounting principles and (B) any
analyses prepared by management and/or the independent auditors setting forth
significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the
preparation of the financial statements, including analyses of the ramifications
and effects of alternative generally accepted accounting principles on the
Corporation's financial statements;
(iv) alternative treatments of financial information that
have been discussed by the independent auditors and management, ramifications of
the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments and the treatment
preferred by the auditors;
(v) all other material written communications between the
independent auditors and management, such as any management letter or schedule
of unadjusted differences; and
(vi) the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives,
as well as offbalance sheet structures, on the financial statements of the
Corporation;
(h) Review with the chief executive officer and chief financial
officer and independent auditors, periodically, the following:
(i) all significant deficiencies in the design or
operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Corporation's
ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data, including any
material weaknesses in internal controls identified by the Corporation's
independent auditors;
(ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in the Corporation's
internal controls; and
(iii) any significant changes in internal controls or in
other factors that could significantly affect internal controls, including any
corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
weaknesses.
(i) Attempt to resolve all disagreements between the Corporation's
independent auditors and management regarding financial reporting;
(j) Review on a regular basis with the Corporation's independent
auditors any problems or difficulties encountered by the independent auditors in
the course of any audit work, including management's response with respect
thereto, any restrictions on the scope of the independent auditor's activities
or on access to requested information, and any significant disagreements with
management. In connection therewith, the Committee should review with the
independent auditors the following:
(i) any accounting adjustments that were noted or
proposed by the independent auditors but were rejected by management (as
immaterial or otherwise);
(ii) any communications between the audit team and the
independent auditor's national office respecting auditing or accounting issues
presented by the engagement; and
(iii) any "management" or "internal control" letter issued,
or proposed to be issued, by the independent auditors to the Corporation;
(k) Confirm that the Corporation's interim financial statements
included in Quarterly Reports on Form 10- Q have been reviewed by the
Corporation's independent auditors;
(l) Review:
(i) the adequacy and effectiveness of the Corporation's
accounting and internal control policies and procedures on a regular basis,
including the responsibilities, budget and staffing of the Corporation's
internal audit function, through inquiry and discussions with the Corporation's
independent auditors and management of the Corporation; and
(ii) the yearly report prepared by management, and
attested to by the Corporation's independent auditors, assessing the
effectiveness of the Corporation's internal control structure and procedures for
financial reporting and stating management's responsibility to establish and
maintain such structure and procedures, prior to its inclusion in the
Corporation's annual report;
(m) Review with management the Corporation's administrative,
operational and accounting internal controls, including any special audit steps
adopted in light of the discovery of material control deficiencies, and evaluate
whether the Corporation is operating in accordance with its prescribed policies,
procedures and codes of conduct;
(n) Receive periodic reports from the Corporation's independent
auditors and management to assess the impact on the Corporation of significant
accounting or financial reporting developments that may have a bearing on the
Corporation;
(o) Establish and maintain free and open means of communication
between and among the Board, the Committee, the Corporation's independent
auditors, the Corporation's internal auditing department and management,
including providing such parties with appropriate opportunities to meet
separately and privately with the Committee on a periodic basis;
(p) Review the Corporation's earnings press releases (especially
the use of "pro forma" or "adjusted" information not prepared in compliance with
generally accepted accounting principles), as well as financial information and
earnings guidance provided by the Corporation to analysts and rating agencies
which review may be done generally (i.e., discussion of the types of information
to be disclosed and type of presentations to be made), and the Committee need
not discuss in advance each earnings release or each instance in which the
Corporation may provide earnings guidance;
(q) Establish clear hiring policies by the Corporation for
employees or former employees of the Corporation's independent auditors, as
needed;
(r) Discuss guidelines and policies governing the process by which
senior management of the Corporation assess and manage the Corporation's
exposure to risk, as well as the Corporation's major financial risk exposures
and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures;
(s) Meet at least annually with the general counsel, and outside
counsel when appropriate, to review legal and regulatory matters, including any
matters that may have a material impact on the financial statements of the
Corporation;
(t) Prepare the report required by the rules of the SEC to be
included in the Corporation's annual proxy statement;
(u) Review the Corporation's program to monitor compliance with
the Corporation's Code of Conduct, and meet periodically with the Corporation's
Compliance Officer to discuss compliance with the Code of Conduct;
(v) Obtain from the Corporation's independent auditors any
information pursuant to Section l0A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
(w) Establish procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and
treatment of complaints received by the Corporation regarding accounting,
internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and (ii) the confidential,
anonymous submission by employees of the Corporation of concerns regarding
questionable accounting or auditing matters;
(x) Secure independent expert advice to the extent the Committee
determines it to be appropriate, including retaining independent counsel,
accountants, consultants or others, to assist the Committee in fulfilling its
duties and responsibilities, the cost of such independent expert advisors to be
borne by the Corporation;
(y) Report regularly to the Board on its activities, as
appropriate. In connection therewith, the Committee should review with the Board
any issues that arise with respect to the quality or integrity of the
Corporation's financial statements, the Corporation's compliance with legal or
regulatory requirements, the performance and independence of the Corporation's
independent auditors or the performance of the internal audit function;
(z) Prepare and review with the Board an annual performance
evaluation of the Committee, which evaluation must compare the performance of
the Committee with the requirements of this Charter, and set forth the goals and
objectives of the Committee for the upcoming year. The evaluation should include
a review and assessment of the adequacy of the Committee's Charter. The
performance evaluation by the Committee shall be conducted in such manner as the
Committee deems appropriate. The report to the Board may take the form of an
oral report by the chairperson of the Committee or any other member of the
Committee designated by the Committee to make this report; and
While the Committee has the duties and responsibilities set forth in this
charter, the Committee is not responsible for planning or conducting the audit
or for determining whether the Corporation's financial statements are complete
and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
In fulfilling their responsibilities hereunder, it is recognized that members of
the Committee are not full-time employees of the Corporation. It is not the duty
or responsibility of the Committee or its members to conduct "field work" or
other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures or to set auditor
independence standards. Eeach member of the Committee shall be entitled to rely
on (i) the integrity of those persons and organizations within and outside the
Corporation from which it receives information, (ii) the accuracy of the
financial and other information provided to the Committee absent actual
knowledge to the contrary (which shall be promptly reported to the Board) and
(iii) statements made by management or third parties as to any information
technology, internal audit and other non-audit services provided by the auditors
to the Corporation.
OCWEN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
1675 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard - West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
REVOCABLE PROXY
THIS PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF OCWEN
FINANCIAL CORPORATION, FOR USE ONLY AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 15, 2003 AND AT ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF.
The undersigned hereby appoints John R. Erbey, William C. Erbey, Ronald
M. Faris or any of them, as proxy, with full powers of substitution, and hereby
authorizes them to represent and vote, as designated below, all the shares of
Common Stock of Ocwen Financial Corporation (the "Company") held of record by
the undersigned on March 14, 2003 at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held at the offices of the Company located at 1675 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard,
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 on Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern
Time, and at any adjournment thereof.
Shares of Common Stock of the Company will be voted as specified. If
not otherwise specified, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of each of
the Board of Directors' nominees to the Board of Directors and FOR the
ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent
auditor. You may revoke this proxy at any time prior to the time it is voted at
the Annual Meeting.
The Undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of Ocwen Financial Corporation to be held on May 15,
2003, or any adjournment thereof, a Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting and
the 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders of the Company prior to the signing of
this proxy.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE ADDRESSED TO: AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY,
59 MAIDEN LANE, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10038
(Continued and to be dated and signed on the reverse side)
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COMMENTS:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
OCWEN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
MAY 15, 2003
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
Please detach and mail in the envelope provided.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETUNR PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK
YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE [X]
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Election Of Directors: 2. APPROVAL OR THE AMENDMENTS TO THE 1998 ANNUAL
INCENTIVE PLAN.
NOMINEES: [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
[ ] FOR ALL NOMINEES ( ) William C. Erbey
( ) Ronald M. Faris 3. RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT BY THE BOARD
[ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY ( ) William H. Lacy OF DIRECTORS OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE
FOR ALL NOMINEES ( ) W. Michael Linn INDEPENDENT AUDITOR OF THE COMPANY FOR THE YEAR
( ) W.C. Martin ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2003.
[ ] FOR ALL EXCEPT ( ) Herbert B. Tasker
(See instructions below) ( ) Barry N. Wish [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
4. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED
TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY
COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any PLEASE CHECK IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING [ ]
individual nominee(s), mark "FOR ALL EXCEPT" and fill
in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold,
as shown here: (X)
TO INCLUDE ANY COMMENTS, USE THE COMMENTS BOX ON THE
REVERSE SIDE HEREOF.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To change the address on your account, please check he box
at right and indicate your new address in the address
space above. Please note that changes to the registered
name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this
method. [ ]
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Signature of Shareholder ___________________ Date: _____ Signature of Shareholder ___________________ Date: _____
Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are
held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator,
attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is
a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer,
giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by authorized person.